Chapter Eleven: The Future Lies Ahead
Why did I push him away? I love him...but something doesn't feel right. It's not Ace's fault, it's my own fault for being insecure.
Sabo sighs as he curls up in a ball on the sofa, running his fingers through his soft blonde locks. His thoughts are swirling with confusion and inner turmoil. The veteran loves Ace, but he's still nervous about the future and about his experience on the battlefield. All of his morals haven't changed, but in the deepest corners of his mind is constantly telling him to drop his walls in order to let the raven-haired man inside fully. It feels like Ace is a wrecking ball trying to destroy the walls Sabo put up to hide his true feelings, but the attempts are only causing Sabo to feel more pain during his mental struggle. He can't stop thinking about the night he had drunken sex with his brother. Every touch still feels real as if the other man was actually there, each kiss still leaves a tingling sensation all over the blonde's skin, and every thrust still makes the veteran feel every ounce of indescribable pleasure he felt. What's the matter with me?
The blonde's thoughts are cut off by warm arms being wrapped around him and soft lips being pressed to the back of his neck tenderly. A faint blush spreads across his cheeks when a familiar husky tenor voice whispers into his ear, "Come to bed with me…"
"Ace…" Sabo whispers and smiles, looking over at his brother, "let's go to bed then."
It's been two weeks since that night and today's the day Emily comes home from the hospital. Ace watches as the large glowing sphere rises slowly into the dull morning sky. Casting sunbeams in every direction while it illuminated the small rural town. He stares out the glass panes as the colors made by the rising sun changed, growing more vivid with the passing time. Making the sky more radiant as it climbs higher and higher into the sky. But as beautiful as the morning was, its beauty is nothing compared to the sleeping angel in his bed. The fireman didn't want to wake up his companion as he quietly slips out of bed to relieve himself in the bathroom. He's overjoyed to have his daughter come home, but he can't help but feel anxious over the problems he had with Sabo two weeks ago.
Nonetheless, Ace always loves to watch Sabo sleep for some reason. Maybe it was for the way he slept, or maybe it was an excuse to observe him without feeling embarrassed. Whatever the reason is, the fireman always enjoys watching his lover/brother sleep whenever he spends the night. Pure innocence always shows on Sabo's sleeping face, the peaceful and serene dreams blocking out the dangers of the outside. The soft breathing making the world seems to stand still. The lines of care and toil had smoothed and virtually disappeared, the crows feet around his eyes now but a memory. Eyelids closed against the dim light of dawn and his breathing deep and relaxed, all the muscles in his face and body were totally at peace, like a baby in its' first throes of slumber and before REM kicked in. Not a twitch, not a spasm, barely any movement of his smooth chest rising and falling with each intake of air such was the depth of his oblivion.
The freckled man thinks back on his conversation with his best friend, Yume, a few days ago, especially when she said something very meaningful to him: Trying to explain why you love someone is like describing what water tastes like. Impossible.
"I wish it'd be easy to explain how I feel..." He whispers, hoping he doesn't disturb the adorable blonde sleeping by his side.
"Then show it. Words are useless." A sleepy murmur makes Ace aware that Sabo is awake.
Jeez...he nearly gave me a heart attack..."Good morning to you too, Sabo..." The fireman pouts and then chuckles.
"How can I explain why or how I love him?"
"Ace, trying to explain why you love someone is like describing what water tastes like. Impossible."
"Who knew you were so poetic, Yume."
"My dad taught me a lot."
Ace stretches slightly before getting out of bed, quickly getting ready because he's excited to bring Emily home from the hospital. It's going to be difficult to communicate with her since she doesn't have any vocal cords, which definitely reminds him of Celty Sturluson from Durarara!, but giving her a cell phone might help make things easier.
The drive to the hospital is anything but quiet, especially with Ace singing along to every song on the radio. Sabo couldn't help but laugh quietly as he listens because his brother can't sing to save his life. Of course he's excited to bring his cute niece home, but he can't understand why his companion sounds like a dying animal when he sings. Once they get there, the freckled man rushes in excitedly to sign the release papers for his daughter. To his surprise, a nurse already had Emily dressed and was walking with her to the lobby to see her father and uncle.
"Emily~!" Ace grins widely and picks up the little girl, hugging her tightly.
He didn't care that she's ten years old, he'll carry her and pick her up until he's dead. His heart melts when Emily hugs him back and she smiles against his shoulder.
"Let's get her stuff and leave." Sabo says with a smile, kissing his niece's cheek gently.
"Alright. I'm just so happy she's ok." Ace grins and gently puts Emily down.
The two men tilt their heads simultaneously as they watch her take out her new phone and type something.
*When can we eat breakfast? I'm hungry...*
The cute blush on her face when her stomach growls is enough to make everyone in the lobby dote over her cuteness. Sabo chuckles softly and leads the two out of the hospital.
"We're going to eat now, okay?"
A slight nod is enough of a response as the trio heads to Ace's car. Ace helps his little angel into the car before inviting Luffy and Usopp to join them for breakfast via text, which of course Luffy agrees instantly without asking his boyfriend about it. Getting to the diner wasn't bad, but once they've been served is when the problems start. Everyone in their little group knows how much of a messy eater Luffy is, and sadly the other customers are about to find out. It all starts with a French fry with ketchup on it flying off the raven-haired boy's plate while he's eating. Ace, Sabo, and Usopp gasp as that single fry hits a huge man in the face and lands on his white shirt. Of course the man is pissed. The man s is furious because he has ketchup on his white shirt, so he throws food back, but perhaps too much because he is angry and not thinking straight. Because he tosses a handful or so of pancakes at them, chunks and syrup go flying wildly in other directions, only to hit other people. They in turn become angry, vengeful beasts and begin their own retaliation. While retaliating, other people join in for the heck of it, and the cause of the entire food fight joins in because he feels left out.
"Luffy!" Usopp scolds his boyfriend after they get kicked out of the diner and eventually sighs, "You really need to be careful when we eat in public."
"Sorry, Usopp…" Luffy chuckles softly and grins cheekily, rubbing the back of his neck.
He's such a dork...but I'm glad he has Usopp. I have Ace, and things are looking better for the future or so I hope… Sabo smiles to himself as they go their separate ways. He realizes he's been stuck in the past for too long, and that's the reason Sabo has been holding back on his feelings towards Ace.
Why waste your time in the past, when your future is where the rest of your life will be?